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Wildfire smoke brings air quality alert to northwest Vermont – VTDigger

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Wildfire smoke brings air quality alert to northwest Vermont – VTDigger


A paddleboarder floats on Lake Champlain in Burlington under hazy skies on Friday, June 6. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to obscure Vermont skies on Friday as the Department of Environmental Conservation issued another air quality alert for the northwest portion of the state. The alert, which includes the counties of Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle, is set to end at midnight. 

An expanded alert will be issued by the agency Saturday, according to the National Weather Service office in Burlington. The air quality alert will last from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and cover the counties of Caledonia, Chitteden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington. 

“It’s a moderate level of pollutants, so it’s not going to affect everybody, but it’s mainly for sensitive groups like people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children,” said Peter Banacos, science and operations officer at the National Weather Service’s office in Burlington. While rain is helping to drown out the particulates, smoke that’s hovering over the St. Lawrence Valley could move into northern Vermont over the weekend, according to Banacos.

Those tiny particles within the smoke, known as fine particulate matter or PM 2.5, can get trapped in people’s lungs before entering their bloodstream, causing possible health problems. The wildfire smoke brings elevated concentrations of those particles that can be unhealthy for sensitive groups like older adults and children, pregnant people, outdoor workers and people living outside.

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People with asthma should keep their relief medicine nearby, and if residents experience scratchy eyes or throat, a headache or coughing, they’re encouraged to move indoors, according to a media release from the Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday.

Severe thunderstorms in Vermont expected to clear the smoky effects of Canadian wildfires


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On Friday afternoon, the air quality for much of the state was good, and residents could enjoy outdoor activities. But in Burlington and St. Albans, the Environmental Protection Agency’s fire and smoke map indicated that the levels of PM 2.5 were above 100 on the air quality index, meaning the air was unhealthy for those sensitive groups.

The smoke has migrated from more than 200 wildfires churning through Canada, with six new fires starting Friday. Canada faces an especially severe and early start to its fire season, as more severe wildfires become more common under climate change, which is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. While 69 fires are burning in British Columbia, more than 100 have consumed the country’s less fire-prone prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

“With these wildfires so far removed from Vermont, we’re not expecting real significant issues,” Banacos said. He recalled worse conditions in 2022, when wildfires raging in Quebec brought thick, low-level smoke to Vermont that reduced visibility and increased air quality issues. “If we get fires that are closer, that could change,” Banacos said.

The worst effects are across the Great Lakes, where smoke has settled over major cities like Detroit and Toronto, but unhealthy air has traveled as far south as Florida this week.

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Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

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Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2


The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Patrick Gym

No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.

No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.

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D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)

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No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)

No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)

No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)

D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS

No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.

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TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.

D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.

D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

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No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.

Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)

No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)

No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)

No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)

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No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)

No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)

No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)

(Subject to change)





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VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

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Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 8-7-7

Evening: 0-3-3

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 1-8-1-2

Evening: 0-3-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

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Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

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Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit


Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time

A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.

Fox – Seattle

Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?

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As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.

In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.

Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.

History of Henry Sheldon Museum

According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.

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The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.

This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.

How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum

Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.

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Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.

Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.



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